Who painted Llyn-y-Cau, Cader Idris?

Llyn-y-Cau, Cader Idris was painted by Richard Wilson in 1774.

Where can I see Llyn-y-Cau, Cader Idris?

Llyn-y-Cau, Cader Idris is held by National Gallery.

What movement is Llyn-y-Cau, Cader Idris?

Llyn-y-Cau, Cader Idris is associated with Rococo painting.

Can I buy a print of Llyn-y-Cau, Cader Idris?

Museum-quality prints of Llyn-y-Cau, Cader Idris are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Llyn-y-Cau, Cader Idris

Richard Wilson , 1774

Llyn-y-Cau, Cader Idris is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Richard Wilson. It dates from 1774 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery. Created in 1774, this oil landscape depicts Llyn-y-Cau, a lake situated near the summit of Cadair Idris in Snowdonia, North Wales.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1774, this oil landscape depicts Llyn-y-Cau, a lake situated near the summit of Cadair Idris in Snowdonia, North Wales. The work is attributed to Richard Wilson, a Welsh-born painter who spent much of his professional life in London and Italy while maintaining a strong interest in the scenery of his homeland.

Subject & Meaning

The painting captures the tranquil waters of Llyn-y-Cau framed by the rugged peaks of the surrounding mountains, offering a visual meditation on the wild beauty of the Welsh uplands. By focusing on a specific, recognizable locale, Wilson invites viewers to contemplate the relationship between natural grandeur and the intimate experience of place.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the composition balances atmospheric light with detailed rendering of rock and water. Wilson’s handling of colour and brushwork reflects the influence of his Italian studies, yet retains a clear, structured approach typical of mid‑eighteenth‑century British landscape painting.

History & Provenance

The work was likely entered for the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition in 1774, where it would have been seen by a London audience. After changing hands over the ensuing decades, the painting entered the Tate Britain collection in 1945, where it remains on public display.

Context

Wilson’s career bridged the transition from classical, idealised scenery to a more naturalistic representation of the British landscape. This piece exemplifies his effort to bring the dramatic terrain of Wales into the artistic discourse of the period, aligning regional subjects with the broader European tradition of landscape painting.